My GOODNESS!!! My very special guest tonight, Jay McDowell, of famed band BR549, absolute Nashville hot cats, who transformed lower Broadway during troubling times.  Jay McDowell, known as Smilin' Jay, has a history as deep as the ocean. And, with a proverbial cherry on top being the Multimedia Archivist for the Musicians Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee. His father worked with Guild Guitars and was friends with Duane Eddy, who is like an uncle to Jay. (WHAAAA?!!)

As a musician, Jay first played guitar but switched to upright bass when he moved to Nashville in 1992. He landed in a band called BR5-49. When Jay joined the band, the thought was to play for two- three weeks to see if it worked out.  The band exploded with a rise in attention, and BR5-49 quickly established itself as local celebrities and mainstays at Robert's Western World, directly behind the Ryman Theater. Large crowds were drawn by the band’s ability to mix its rock and roll, country, swing and gospel influences to come up with a fresh and energetic sound. 

DON'T FORGET! You can keep us alive, by making a small or large charitable donation to the official non-profit 501c3, Nebraska Performing Arts Hall of Fame. We appreciate your support all around!

Nebraska Performing Arts Hall of Fame donations:
Paypal: @NeHOF or [email protected]
Venmo: @NebraskaArts

Spread the word for those  that wish to watch on video. Check out the Facebook pages, and we are streaming on Youtube as well. On Youtube, just search: Nebraska Performing Arts Hall of Fame.

Sponsored by Red Rebel Media, Tune Balloon, KZUM 89.3FM, and of course The Nebraska Performing Arts Hall of Fame.

Monday night, November 28th, we welcomed the Prince of America's Roots Music scene, Deke Dickerson, on the program. We were so thrilled to host this event and dig deep into this man's history of music, his extensive guitar and amp collection, and his long career of keeping America’s roots music alive!

More about Deke: 

Deke, originally from Columbia, Missouri, started his first band at the age of 13. He moved to Los Angeles at the age of 22 and proceeded to find his primary band, Deke Dickerson and the Ecco-Fonics, his newest group, Deke Dickerson and the Whippersnappers, as well as several side projects.

Dickerson has provided rootsy music for a slew of television shows and movie projects, including scoring the music for a Paramount Pictures film starring Johnny Knoxville, Action Point.

Dickerson has his own signature guitar, manufactured by the Hallmark Guitar Company of Maryland.

Dickerson is currently writing the official biography of guitar legend Merle Travis. He also writes for several guitar magazines and had two books published by Voyageur Press, The Strat in the Attic and The Strat in the Attic 2. Dickerson is well known as a historian of roots music and regularly contributes liner notes to reissue projects for such labels as Capitol, RCA, Bear Family, and Sundazed.

In 2019, Dickerson won the Ameripolitan Music Award for Musician of the Year! PKM interviewed him afterward about his many contributions to the genre.

Two of Dickerson’s songs are featured in the newest Disneyland ride, Cars Land, at Disney’s California Adventure theme park.

Deke plays festivals, club shows, and tours throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe pretty regularly. 

DON'T FORGET!!!

We are live! So, don't forget to join in on the comments and ask your questions. And, the more you interact, the better the show is. 

AND! You can keep us alive, by making a small or large charitable donations to the official non-profit 501c3, Nebraska Performing Arts Hall of Fame. We appreciate your support all around!

Nebraska Performing Arts Hall of Fame donations: 

Paypal: @NeHOF or [email protected]

Venmo: @NebraskaArts

Spread the word for those not on Facebook as well, as we are streaming on Youtube as well. Just search: Nebraska Performing Arts Hall of Fame. 

Sponsored by Red Rebel Media, Tune Balloon, and The Zoo Bar, with special thanks to KZUM for supporting The Nebraska Performing Arts Hall of Fame.

Well, we had so much fun with Cole Reeves that we HAD to have his brother, Matt Reeves, on the Program! Having them together just wouldn't do each of their genius justice.

Hailed as the Butch and Sundance of Country Music, whose songs sound like they've come straight off a vintage Wurlitzer Jukebox, The Reeves Brothers (Matt and Cole) grew up in the small town of Pahrump, NV. Their dad, Jack Reeves, played 5 nights a week at a Honky-Tonk named 'The Stagestop", where the brothers got their start, in music. With their Dad being a staple of the Los Angeles Country Music scene, growing up, the boys always had people like Dick Dale, Red Simpson, and Gib Guilbeau around teaching them the music, and showing them the ropes! 

After years of doing their own solo careers, in 2013, with help from their then manager Steven Martinez, both Matt and Cole decided to end their solo projects, and start the family band. In 2016, Matt and Cole released their first album, "Home Sweet Honky-Tonk". The album received great reviews, with The Las Vegas Review Journal saying "It’s an album meant to be played on a jukebox also stocked with the likes of Charlie Rich, David Allan Coe and Merle Haggard, pretty much every one of its 10 songs about women and boozin’, the former catalyzing much of the latter. The record is deeply rooted in ’70s outlaw country, with pedal steel-belted ballads and honky-tonk hell-raisers about practically taking up residence at the local watering hole, the Reeves brothers’ voices as smooth as top-shelf bourbon." 

In 2018, after being nominated, The Reeves Brothers took home the Ameripolitan Award for "Honky-Tonk Group Of The Year". A huge accomplishment, that had previously been won by The Derailers and Gary P. Nunn! It was at this time that the brothers became acquainted with multi-talented musician Kevin Skrla, owner of Wolfe Island Recording Company. He invited the boys in the band to come to Dayton, TX, "to record some real Honky-Tonk music!", and recording Honky-Tonk music is exactly what they did! Any down time the band had, was spent on "The Island", as they call it! After a year and a half, in the studio, the album "The Last Honky-Tonk" would be finished. With 12 songs on the record, 9 originals and 3 covers, this is the best Reeves Brothers album to date. The Reeves Brothers' Merle Haggard meets Alabama sound dominates the album, and will have you craving a shot of Jack Daniels with a cold Budweiser!   

Let's get to Honky Tonkin, FOLKS!!!

Tips and Donations are welcome:
Paypal: paypal.me/mikesemrad
Venmo: @NebraskaArts

Sponsored by Red Rebel Media, The Zoo Bar, Nebraska Performing Arts Hall of Fame, and & Tune Balloon:
https://redrebelmedia.net/
https://tuneballoon.com/
https://zoobar.com/

Hello Friends!

Today's Dishin' with Musicians guest is the incomparable Darren Keen! Darren is one of the most unique artists we have ever come across. His limits are relentless, and he is constantly pushing the boundaries of the word "art". His latest music project, entitled 'Problems' grooves on a level of its own. From his website:

"PROBLEMS MAKES SUBVERSIVE HOUSE MUSIC. MOST OF MY LYRICS ARE ABOUT PEKINGESE DOGS, SPECIFICALLY WILBUR. I ALSO HAVE A SONG THAT WILL GIVE YOU INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO MAKE YOUR COMPUTER SING SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO"

Darren has been touring the world for years under various names and projects. As well as creating some of the world's most interesting dishes during the pandemic. Which we are excited to delve into. 

He sits down with Mike Semrad to chat about his life, cooking, making sounds, and life as Darren Keen. 

Don't miss this one! 

Tips and Donations are welcome:

Paypal: paypal.me/mikesemrad

Venmo: @NebraskaArts

Sponsored by Red Rebel Media & Tune Balloon

Hello Friends!

Today's Dishin' with Musicians guest is the great Ben Wright of Henhouse Prowlers and The Bluegrass Abassadors! He sits down with Mike Semrad to chat about his world travels and the mark he's leaving on bluegrass music across the globe.

Ben Wright and his band, Henhouse Prowlers, are basically a household name i the bluegrass world at this point. Globally. On stage, the group's enthralling performances give audiences a sense of how much they love what they do; while on record, the band manages to explore their collective life experiences through songwriting and intricate instrumentation. While bluegrass is the undeniable foundation of the Prowlers music, the band manages to bend and squeeze the traditional form into a sound all their own.

With over 175 shows a year, the quartet has toured over 25 countries, often going to places traditional American music has never been.

Tours in Siberia or the Middle East are not uncommon since the Prowlers started working as cultural ambassadors with the US State Department in 2013. These global experiences have pushed the band in new directions musically, with songs from Africa and Asia on several albums, but they have also moved the group to start an educational outreach program for both school children and festival-goers alike.

Tips and Donations are welcome:
Paypal: paypal.me/mikesemrad
Venmo: @NebraskaArts
Sponsored by Red Rebel Media & Tune Balloon

Hello Friends!

Today's Dishin' with Musicians guest is the great Cole Reeves! He sits down with Mike Semrad to chat about the history of Honky Tonk in both of their lives. 

Hailed as the Butch and Sundance of Country Music, whose songs sound like they've come straight off a vintage Wurlitzer Jukebox. The Reeves Brothers (Matt and Cole) grew up in the small town of Pahrump, NV. Their dad, Jack Reeves, played 5 nights a week at a Honky-Tonk named 'The Stagestop", where the brothers got their start, in music. With their Dad being a staple of the Los Angeles Country Music scene, growing up, the boys always had people like Dick Dale, Red Simpson, and Gib Guilbeau around teaching them the music, and showing them the ropes!  

After years of doing their own solo careers, in 2013, with help from their then manager Steven Martinez, both Matt and Cole decided to end their solo projects, and start the family band. In 2016, Matt and Cole released their first album, "Home Sweet Honky-Tonk". The album recieved great reviews, with The Las Vegas Review Journal saying "It’s an album meant to be played on a jukebox also stocked with the likes of Charlie Rich, David Allan Coe and Merle Haggard, pretty much every one of its 10 songs about women and boozin’, the former catalyzing much of the latter. The record is deeply rooted in ’70s outlaw country, with pedal steel-belted ballads and honky-tonk hell-raisers about practically taking up residence at the local watering hole, the Reeves brothers’ voices as smooth as top-shelf bourbon."  

In 2018, after being nominated, The Reeves Brothers took home the Ameripolitan Award for "Honky-Tonk Group Of The Year". A huge accomplishment, that had previously been won by The Derailers and Gary P. Nunn! It was at this time that the brothers became acquainted with multi-talented musician Kevin Skrla, owner of Wolfe Island Recording Company. He invited the boys in the band to come to Dayton, TX, "to record some real Honky-Tonk music!", and recording Honky-Tonk music is exactly what they did! Any down time the band had, was spent on "The Island", as they call it! After a year and a half, in the studio, the album "The Last Honky-Tonk" would be finished. With 12 songs on the record, 9 originals and 3 covers, this is the best Reeves Brothers album to date. The Reeves Brothers' Merle Haggard meets Alabama sound dominates the album, and will have you craving a shot of Jack Daniels with a cold Budweiser!    

Let's get to Honky Tonkin, FOLKS!!!

Tips and Donations are welcome:

Paypal: paypal.me/mikesemrad

Venmo: @NebraskaArts

Sponsored by Red Rebel Media & Tune Balloon

Hello Friends!

This podcast took place on Wednesday, February 2nd, 2022. 

Today's Dishin' with Musicians guest comes from the windy city of Chicago, Illinois. Dan Whitaker is a honky-tonkin’ folk-blues and hillbilly jazz artist whose music defies easy assumptions. The Chicago-based singer-songwriter moves from dark ballads to intricate instrumentals to character-driven stories set on the road and in honky-tonks. With his latest album, One More Story Told, Whitaker introduces the deep scope of his songwriting range and evolution to newer listeners for the first time. Best known as leader of the honky-tonk band The Shinebenders, from 1985 to 2015 Whitaker also fronted several roots-rock bands in and around Chicago and the Midwest. One More Story Told is an acoustic anthology of updated songs spanning that time period, brimming with unexpected melodies, unique chord structures, and relatable stories.

Tips and Donations are welcome:
Paypal: paypal.me/mikesemrad
Venmo: @NebraskaArts

Sponsored by Red Rebel Media & Tune Balloon

Hello Friends!

This podcast took place on Friday,  May 28th, 2021.

Mike Semrad Jr. connected with local Nebraska musician Tom Ficke, who has been in numerous amazing bands and has an infinite collection of great stories.

Ficke was in many largely acclaimed bands in the area, including Shadowfax, Special Edition, New Movement, Tom Ficke Group, and many more. They populated many legendary clubs in and around Lincoln, Nebraska including The Drumstick, Chesterfields, Duffy's, The Zoo Bar, and more.

You can keep us alive, by making a small or large charitable donations to the official non-profit 501c3, Nebraska Performing Arts Hall of Fame. We appreciate your support all around!

Nebraska Performing Arts Hall of Fame donations:
Paypal: @NeHOF or [email protected]
Venmo: @NebraskaArts

Spread the word if you care to watch the video version of this with pictures and guided history:
https://youtu.be/AQUpoorQcP0
Sponsored by Red Rebel Media & The Zoo Bar

Mike Semrad Jr. whips it up with one of Nebraska's greatest guitar slingers, Benji Kushner, of The Mezcal Brothers , Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal, and The Wondermonds. (And so many more)

Tonight, we get to the bottom of his earliest inspirations and love for old records, his knowledge on amazing guitars, his passion for soulful sounds, and of course what he most likes to cook at home with his lady friend, Karmen. They have been sharing some incredible photos of food throughout the pandemic.

We are live! So, don't forget to join in on the comments and ask your questions. And, the more you interact, the better the show is. We want to hear your memories seeing Benji play, and answer all of your questions.

AND! You can keep us alive, by making a small or large charitable donations to the official non-profit 501c3, Nebraska Performing Arts Hall of Fame. We appreciate your support all around!

Nebraska Performing Arts Hall of Fame donations:

Paypal: @NeHOF or [email protected]

Venmo: @NebraskaArts

Spread the word for those not on Facebook as well, as we are streaming on Youtube via this link:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjj-LTEtZWhergXzzgZLhkA

Sponsored by Red Rebel Media & The Zoo Bar

Today, Thursday March 11th,  old friends unite! Mike Semrad Jr. connects with Americana genius songwriter Günter Voelker, of Jack Hotel for a romp-stomping good time!

Since their start in 2012, Jack Hotel has proven itself one of the best, and most original, folk/Americana acts in the midwest. A storyteller's sensibility prevails in their songs, as bandleader Günter Voelker writes with a novelist's powers of observation and a poet's ear for language. Jack Hotel has now released three full length albums, all on Sower Records. If you are not aware of Günter's tunes, I strongly urge you give Jack Hotel a listen. It's likely some of the most splendid sounds to come my way in the last decade.

Thanks so much for tuning into to our podcast. Don't forget!  You can keep us alive, by making a small or large charitable donations to the official non-profit 501c3, Nebraska Performing Arts Hall of Fame. We appreciate your support all around!

Nebraska Performing Arts Hall of Fame donations:
Paypal: @NeHOF or [email protected]
Venmo: @NebraskaArts

Spread the word for those not on Facebook as well, as we are streaming on Youtube via this link:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjj-...​

Sponsored by Red Rebel Media & The Zoo Bar, with special thanks to KZUM for supporting The Nebraska Performing Arts Hall of Fame.